American Indian Movement

American Indian Movement
Founded	1968
Political orientation	Indigenous rights Anti-colonialism Anti-racism Anti-imperialism

The American Indian Movement (AIM) is an indigenous movement in the United States.

History

Foundation

AIM was founded in 1968 in Minneapolis, Minnesota with Clyde Bellecourt as its first chairman and Dennis Banks as its field director. In 1969, it began a 19-month occupation of Alcatraz Island and established a radio outlet called Radio Free Alcatraz. AIM held its first congress in 1970, which involved 18 AIM chapters. Starting in 1972, AIM opened a series of survival schools that taught indigenous culture. The movement grew to over 5,000 members from 79 chapters by 1973.

Early activities

In 1972, two white men murdered an Oglala Sioux named Raymond Yellow Thunder in Gordon, Nebraska. AIM mobilized hundreds to demand their arrest, which led to prison sentences for both of them. The next year, AIM fought against police after the settler murder of Wesley Bad Heart Bull.

Wounded Knee occupation

In 1973, at the request of Lakota elders, AIM began an occupation of Wounded Knee on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation. They held the town for 71 days and fought against U.S. armed forces who were equipped with tanks and machine guns. In 1975, AIM members killed two FBI agents in self-defense after they raided the reservation. The FBI framed Leonard Peltier, who was at the scene but not responsible for their deaths.

Twenty-point program

In 1972, AIM created the following twenty-point program:

1. Restoration of constitutional treaty-making authority.
2. Establishment of treaty commission to make new treaties.
3. An address to the American people and joint sessions of Congress.
4. Commission to review treaty commitments and violations.
5. Resubmission of unratified treaties to the Senate.
6. All Indians to be governed by treaty relations.
7. Mandatory relief against treaty rights violations.
8. Judicial recognition of Indian right to interpret treaties.
9. Creation of Congressional joint committee on reconstruction of Indian relations.
10. Land reform and restoration of a 110-million acre Native land base.
11. Revision of 25. U.S.C. 163; restoration of rights to Indians terminated by enrollment and revocation of prohibitions against "dual benefits."
12. Repeal of state laws enacted under Public Law 280.
13. Resume federal protective jurisdiction for offenses against Indians.
14. Abolition of the Bureau of Indian Affairs by 1976.
15. Creation of an Office of Federal Indian Relations and Community Reconstruction.
16. Priorities and purpose of the proposed new office.
17. Indian commerce and tax immunities.
18. Protection of Indians' religious freedom and cultural integrity.
19. National referendums, local options, and forms of Indian organization.
20. Health, housing, employment, economic development, and education.